Wasserman Schultz Statement on United States v. Texas

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement today after the Supreme Court issued its opinion in United States v. Texas:

“I am extremely frustrated and disappointed by the Supreme Court’s deadlocked decision in United States v. Texas, which will have devastating consequences for millions of children and families in the United States. This 4-4 split decision, though offering no precedential value, still keeps in place the lower court’s flawed decision, and is a painful reminder of how far Senate Republicans are willing to go in refusing to give a hearing to President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Merrick Garland. The ease with which Senate Republicans put partisan politics before the well-being of hardworking Americans is alarming.

“The longer the vacancy on the Court goes unfilled, the longer we must face uncertainty on the most pressing issues facing our nation, and the longer our friends, neighbors, and coworkers must live in fear of deportation. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) programs protect law-abiding members of our community who simply sought a better life. If the Supreme Court’s failure to reach a real decision today doesn’t make it clear, then I don’t know what will: we need comprehensive, just and compassionate immigration reform, and we need it now.

“I stand strong with those who have come forward sharing their stories, fears, and dreams in the hopes of moving Congress to take action. Under our current patchwork of policies, millions, many of whom arrived in this country as children, are living in the shadows, outside of the system and in fear of being separated from their families. This broken path is fracturing our communities, hurting our economy, and leaving our nation less secure. We can and must do better.”